>>4996465
This is the young of the Pukeko, or Swamphen, native to New Zealand.

They live in marshlands with a lot of areas being thin floating mats of vegetation.

With their experience, the adults are sure-footed, and are able to avoid the weaker areas of the mats, and can readily extricate themselves from break-throughs.

While capable themselves, the young need to develop their feet rapidly to near full adult size, to more safely get around the mats.